Shooting sunday with d-300 and 24-120 VR and noticed that I'd get even exposures coupled with what appears to be some random exposures that are about two stops under.

Exposure set on P. temp in the range of 55-75 degrees F. Auto WB. Problem did not occur when using flash indoors--just out doors in sun/hazy sun at 24-35mm. No exposure comp and battery fully charged.

Suggestions?

Today I removed and replaced lens several times thinking that would clean contacts. Can't replicate problem, but would like to avoid it. If camera is broken will fix, but don't want to send it in for something silly.

next time it happens would try another lens and see if it continues,, if so you have placed the issue to the camera,,

you did not say what FPS you were shooting at outdoors,, on my Oly E3 if I shot at 5 fps very often not all the photos would be the same for WB or exposure,, have never had this issue on my D300 though,,

Derry

I was on Cl, but the shots were not generally part of a burst--just random singles and doubles.....

What type of metering? Maybe you happened to meter on something really bright in a few shots?


Also, don't do like I did yesterday -- I accidentally had left my camera in autobracketing mode and it took about 10 frames for me to figure out what the heck was going on!

cputeq wrote:
What type of metering? Maybe you happened to meter on something really bright in a few shots?


Also, don't do like I did yesterday -- I accidentally had left my camera in autobracketing mode and it took about 10 frames for me to figure out what the heck was going on!



This,

try to pay attention to what you're metering off of in bright light. Really dark or bright objects will through off the meter sometimes. Best to try to meter off of something neutral and use ae lock in those situations if you are having problems.

Nothings broke

Might be dirty contacts. The D300 seems more prone to this than any other Nikon body I've had (F,FE,F4,F5,D100,D200,D2x). Clean the lens and camera body contacts, just moving the lens around isn't going to do it.

Definitely wasn't caused by screwy highlights. Two virtually identical frames, one good, one two stops under.

Matrix metering.

How do you clean contacts. I read that erasers are not a good idea.....

papageno wrote:
Definitely wasn't caused by screwy highlights. Two virtually identical frames, one good, one two stops under.

Matrix metering.

How do you clean contacts. I read that erasers are not a good idea.....


Q-tip and rubbing alcohol.

I use De-Oxit. You can get a twin pack of the cleaner and conditioner at Radio Shack. It isn't cheap and you don't get much, but I find using both in order has reduced the need for cleaning consiterably. I've used Iso Alcohol in the past and it works well, but you'll be cleaning more often.
Q-Tips will work, just be careful not to leave strands behind. With an applicator (moist not wet, 1 or 2 drops is enough) gently clean the surface of the lens mount ring on the body. Also, reach around inside and get the electrical contact strip. Do the same with the lens, getting the mounting surface and electrical contacts. This is what I do, I've not had any issues, YMMV, use at your own risk.